kingrat

Tomorrow morning, I will be climbing Mt. Si as the first climb of a mountaineering class I am taking. It isn't a real climb. It's a day hike just to get the blood pumping, so to speak, and maybe break in our new boots. Nothing special.

However, this will be the first time that we will really be doing anything together as a group. There are 10 people in the class, one instructor, and one assistant. So this is when we will first start to mesh as a group doing actual outdoor activities. In the classes so far, a few things about personalities have already become apparent.

One gentleman is the incessant talker. For everything the instructor says, he has something to add. I don't think he's done anything beyond back country hiking, but to hear him talk he knows all about mountain climbing and has done it all the time. I'm glad that it isn't me this time around. I've been accused of that particular failing in the past.

A lawyer in the group (who is pretty hot, by the way) seems really into the activity and outdoor aspect of mountain climbing, but seems utterly disinterested in or unable to grasp in the parts that require skill or knowledge. Compass navigation completely baffled her.

A bunch seem to be like me. This is something interesting to do that I can talk about, that I want to know how to do properly, but only at a basic level. I probably won't take it up as a hobby or lifestyle (like the instructor), but will learn how to do most things and will probably continue to climb every once in a while after the class is over.

In any case, this will be my first serious activity this summer and my first "climb." I should be pretty sore and tired tomorrow night, meaning I will be doing the Frankenstein dance at the Mercury. Lean left. Lean right. Hop. Lean left. Lean right.